The Community Mothers Programme—Empowerment of parents by parents
In: Children & society, Volume 9, Issue 2, p. 73-85
ISSN: 1099-0860
SUMMARY: An innovative directed support intervention programme using lay people aimed at improving the quality of parenting during the first year of life was introduced on a pilot basis in Dublin in 1983 for parents of children living in working class communities. It involved experienced mothers who delivered a programme focusing on healthcare, nutritional improvement and overall child development to new parents. Support, encouragement and guidance were used rather than advice. The programme was evaluated in 1989 using a randomised controlled approach and was found to be effective in terms of health, nutrition and developmental stimulation. It has since expanded to incorporate breastfeeding support, mother and toddler groups and attention to the special needs of travellers, and the potential for applying this approach to other areas of healthcare and social development is large.